Liisa Reid on mon 24 oct 05
Some wheel questions from a central vermont lurker:
First, I'm looking for a second wheel (to become my primary wheel).
Is there anyone out there who can compare any of these wheels: Soldner, Bailey, Shimpo vl Whisper, or Thomas Stuart?
I'm looking for a wheel that will be rock steady at not more than 4 revolutions per minute and that can accelerate and decelerate really smoothly.
I believe that the Soldner wheels are up to it, but what about the others? Or any other suggestions? Are the soldners still as reliable as they used to be?
Recently, I tried a Shimpo Whisper which, while delightfully quiet, was pretty jerky on changing speeds. Can this wheel be adjusted to be really smooth, or is that jerky stiffness just part of the direct drive gear system?
Second, My 20+ year old shimpo rk10 is getting cranky. It needs some parts that Shimpo no longer makes. That model now comes only with a fixed foot pedal.
Mine has a detached foot pedal. It's mechanical, not electronic, and is operated by a bicycle style brake cable and a nylon pulley. If anyone knows of a source of the cable and pulley parts I'd appreciate the information. At its best it is a pretty smooth and steady wheel, and I'd like to bring it back.
All replies appreciated, on or off list.
.
Liisa Reid, in Plainfield, Vermont where we just had our first snow
reidpots@together.net
Jim Champion on tue 25 oct 05
Hi Liisa, I've used the top of the line Bailey wheel,
the Shimpo Whisper VL and have a Thomas Stuart Elite.
I didn't upgrade to the ssx drive which is suppose to make
the wheel smoother. I like all three wheel but I like the
Thomas Stuart the best over all. I think as for a smoothness
goes I like the Bailey (top of the line there is a difference
in smoothness between this model & the other models) If the ssx make any
difference on the Thomas Stuart then it would be as
smooth or smoother than the Bailey.
I have thrown on the Shimpo whisper when it did jerk
but this was a problem with the foot petal and not the wheel.
After fixing this it was very smooth.
I've found very little difference between these wheel as for a
capabilities even though the design makes using
these 3 wheels very different.I think the Bailey is a little smoother,
the Shimpo the quietest, the Thomas Stuart a little stronger
with the over all design going to the Thomas Stuart.
(This wheel will be making pots long after I'm an ingredients in a glaze.)
If I was buying a wheel or wheels for a class room setting
I would get the
Shimpo or the Bailey simply because the wheel head stay in place.
The fact that the wheel head removes is one of the things that
I like about the Thomas Stuart for use in my personally studio.
I like the built it splash pan of the Thomas Stuart and the Bailey
but both have models that use removable splash pans.
The Bailey built in splash pan has more room and has the drain already
were the Thomas Stuart you have to drill.
The Shimpo has adjustable legs and a very good splash pan design.
Other wheels that I've used are the Thomas Stuart Kickwheel, which
is great wheel. The CI clay boss (1/3 motor)
I didn't like as much as the other wheels. I know that CI as updated
the Clay Boss with a 1/2 motor and a new top.
I think the Big Boss would be more comparable
to the wheels you are talking about. T
he splash pan on the Clay Boss & Big Boss is average
at best. I've also have the CI Artisa,
which I think is a great wheel!
If you need a second wheel this one has great flexibility!
It also has the best splash pan design that I've seen.
Hope this helps.
Jim Champion
Louisville, KY
Landlocked by the edge of a bluegrass sea
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